Kelly Cates to quit Sky Sports to replace Gary Lineker and become Match of the Day host
A popular Sky Sports presenter is set to jump ship and join the BBC as a Match of the Day host. The BBC has been on the lookout for a new host since Gary Lineker confirmed he would depart his role in November. Lineker will leave his Match of the Day role at the end of the 2024/25 seasonAlamy But it appears the broadcaster has reportedly found a solution, with a trio of presenters set to split hosting duties across Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2. As first reported by the Daily Mail, the BBC has poached Kelly Cates from Sky Sports. Cates will form a trio alongside Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, who already hosts Match of the Day 2. The daughter of Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish, Cates has previously worked for the BBC as a presenter on Radio 5 Live. The Daily Mail claims Sky are ‘deeply saddened’ to have lost Cates. Lineker will leave his role as Match of the Day host at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season. He will remain a part of the BBC’s football coverage for a further 18 months before cutting all ties with the broadcaster. Lineker’s contract with the BBC was due to expire at the end of the season, but signed an 18-month extension to take him through to the 2026 World Cup. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker explained why he felt the time was right to leave his role as Match of the Day host. “It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end,” Lineker said. Kelly Cates will move from Sky Sports to the BBC and form part of a hosting trio for Match of the DayGetty “It came at a point where really the BBC and Match of the Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird.” He added: “I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time. “I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.” Lineker took on the hosting role in 1999 when he replaced Des Lynam, having moved into punditry and presenting following his glittering playing career. Along with Match of the Day, Lineker worked on Radio 5 Live, They Think It’s All Over and Grandstand. Lineker’s contract with the BBC earned him over £1.3million a year, making him the broadcaster’s highest-paid talent. Lineker has been a mainstay of the BBC’s football coverage since 1999Getty The 63-year-old was also suspended from hosting the show in 2023 after he breached the BBC’s rules on expressing political views on social media. He shared his strong opposition to the British Government’s policy on asylum seekers. Former England internationals Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, who were regulars on the show, announced they would boycott the show in solidarity with Lineker.
A popular Sky Sports presenter is set to jump ship and join the BBC as a Match of the Day host.
The BBC has been on the lookout for a new host since Gary Lineker confirmed he would depart his role in November.
But it appears the broadcaster has reportedly found a solution, with a trio of presenters set to split hosting duties across Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2.
As first reported by the Daily Mail, the BBC has poached Kelly Cates from Sky Sports.
Cates will form a trio alongside Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, who already hosts Match of the Day 2.
The daughter of Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish, Cates has previously worked for the BBC as a presenter on Radio 5 Live.
The Daily Mail claims Sky are ‘deeply saddened’ to have lost Cates.
Lineker will leave his role as Match of the Day host at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
He will remain a part of the BBC’s football coverage for a further 18 months before cutting all ties with the broadcaster.
Lineker’s contract with the BBC was due to expire at the end of the season, but signed an 18-month extension to take him through to the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker explained why he felt the time was right to leave his role as Match of the Day host.
“It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end,” Lineker said.
“It came at a point where really the BBC and Match of the Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird.”
He added: “I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time.
“I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”
Lineker took on the hosting role in 1999 when he replaced Des Lynam, having moved into punditry and presenting following his glittering playing career.
Along with Match of the Day, Lineker worked on Radio 5 Live, They Think It’s All Over and Grandstand.
Lineker’s contract with the BBC earned him over £1.3million a year, making him the broadcaster’s highest-paid talent.
The 63-year-old was also suspended from hosting the show in 2023 after he breached the BBC’s rules on expressing political views on social media.
He shared his strong opposition to the British Government’s policy on asylum seekers.
Former England internationals Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, who were regulars on the show, announced they would boycott the show in solidarity with Lineker.
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